Justin Rosenstein deleted facebook from his phone, over fears it was making him addicted and unhappy. This is the same Justin who ironically invented the “like” button. He even installed an app which prevents him from downloading apps, so what does this mean for the rest of us?
‘Switching off’ has never been more trendy, or needed. Screens, phones & social media are in fact bad for socialising, terrible for self esteem and scientists are confident they are addictive and can lead to mental health problems. More and more people are getting into meditation, even if they are using an app to do so. It’s all about finding balance and staying on top of your mental wellbeing, which finally is becoming less of a taboo subject.
Sadly, consumer demand usually wins, which is why more and more places are improving their wifi and with the growth of the gig economy, bars and restaurants need to offer good wifi to service the customer working from their establishment (even if all they order is a flat white for the day). We think now is perhaps the perfect time for more places to simply switch it off and say ‘come here to socialise’, or even go as far as to ban phones? Soho House do, and perhaps that helps contribute to their success.
We have found the best London based places which either bans phones, have no service or just don’t encourage internet use. So on your next date/night out you can go enjoy each other and avoid that awkward moment when you sit in silence looking at pictures of people you’ve never met on instagram.
Places with a Phone Ban
Secret Cinema
Part immersive theatre, part film screening, part parade, the company has created a new kind of immersive entertainment experience. With recent productions of Blade Runner, Romeo and Juliet and Back to the Future this is a must go place for any film fanatic. To keep the experience as authentic and immersive as possible you will have to place you mobile phone in a little zip-lock bag provided on entry – truly secret!
Milk and Honey, Soho
This mostly members-only cocktail bar, hidden behind a plain door in the heart of Soho, has a “frowned upon” policy when using mobile phones. With three floors of intimate booths, cosy corners and innovative cocktails – who needs a mobile phone!
Nags Head, Belgravia
Nustled just off the main streets of Knightsbridge in a peaceful enclave, this quirky pub in Belgravia has banned phones completely – be warned, apparently it’s quite a telling off!
The Fat Boar, Mold
Ok so it’s not a phone ban, but you will get a 25% discount on your bill if you lock your phone up at the door. Kind of awesome.
The Buyundi
Although now branded as “permanently closed” on google, we couldn’t write a piece about phone bans without mentioning the first naked restaurant in London, yeah.. you heard us! Apparently it’s making a come back soon though, let’s hope they stick to the no phone rule or there could be some pretty inappropriate dinner photos out there!
Places with no WIFI
Worship street Whistling Shop
They have no WiFi and barely any reception, plus its one of the best cocktail bars in London, so plenty to People tend to speak to each other or awkwardly look around avoiding eye contact with their neighbours. With reports highlighting that 41 per cent of millennials simply wouldn’t go to a bar without WiFi, this is risky business, but we quite like that…
